I agree with you, Ana. Meeting people from all over is important to me, and getting to know them as neighbors is something the internet provided me which I could never have in real life. I mean, how many lives would it take to meet and get to know all the people in this forum in the days before the internet? Even if I moved in down the street from you or Walzuhair, it doesn't mean I'd have gotten to know you as I have here. I think that's one of the main reasons I go to the forums. <br><br>Another is that I feel a need to discuss all kinds of things, and sometimes in great depth. I like to know what other people think about things. I like to share what I know, too, and it's a good way to get corrected if your thinking is going in the wrong way. So, I come here for discussion and friendship.<br><br>And no, I think the word virtual is not the right word for the experience. We use "virtual" almost to mean "fake." There is nothing fake about this. <br><br>Shooshie<br><br>Shooshie's Stuff

You've been an interesting person to me, Gizmo, because I've seen a transformation in you as I've gotten to know you. When you first came to MC, you posted infrequently and often your comments were... well... not very friendly. Over time, I noticed that you seemed to come out of that bad mood more and more and you were actually quite funny. I finally realized that you just like to have fun here, and not to get dragged down by serious discussions that go on and on. I realize that you probably didn't read a lot of my posts, simply because they were too long and involved. Not criticizing you at all... it was good to understand what you and many others wanted: a place to hang out and shoot the bull as you would at a bar or game or something. You're a great-hearted guy, and I'm glad to know you, though it took some time, a lost weekend, and a mosaic, and a forum split, and all kinds of stuff before I really knew you. I enjoyed doing the biographies for the mosaic, because I got to know everyone involved. <br><br>I know my conversations aren't for everyone, and when I go deep, I don't try to be inclusive; I just write for those inclined to read and think about the same things. It's important to me, but I don't think less of anyone who doesn't want to go there. In fact, I'm just thankful that there are some people who actually DO want to go there. I certainly can't talk about this stuff with most of my neighbors at home, or family for that matter. The Net gives us all an opportunity to talk to those who want conversation, and as we learn here at the forum, there are all kinds of conversation. Some go deep. Some go for laughs. Some just go for no other reason than to say, "WHAT!"<br><br><br><br><br>Everyone here feels like a brother or sister to me. And when we all gather around the table and just shoot the breeze, it's a big family gathering. I just hope everyone's understanding each other when we start gravitating toward our own little pockets of conversation. It doesn't mean we don't come out and enjoy everyone else. <br><br>Shooshie<br><br>Shooshie's Stuff

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